Page 3 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“That’s amazing,” one of the boys muttered.
I crouched down and took off the weights I had tied around my ankles. I heard a clap and turned to seeAunt Angela walking over. Her long hair was in a high ponytail, and she was dressed in jeans and an oversized top.
“Once again, impressively done, Raven,” she said, passing me a water bottle.
“Thanks. I think everyone is getting too predictable,” I said, standing up and taking it.
“Or you’re just incredible. You got an email from Elijah,” she said quietly. My heart skipped a beat, and my nerves began to brew in my stomach.
“Really?”
“Yes, he has officially asked for you to come home and take the position as Head Warrior.”
Return home… my stomach twisted as the memory of that night returned to me… the night the Moon Goddess led me to my mate but made me lose everything.
I walked hand in hand with my friend, Kiara. My nerves were kicking in big time. The mating ball was being held out in the open, lit up brightly with dazzling lights. My eyes were looking for two familiar faces, our other two friends, Liam and Damon. Would one of them be my mate?
When I started searching for them, the most delicious mix of scents hit me, and I froze. My chest pounded as I inhaled deeply.
Roasted walnuts, fresh rain, spiced cinnamon, and honey… scents that drowned me… scents that were faintly familiar…
“Oh, hey, boys,” Kiara said with a smile.
I turned slowly, my mouth still full of the chocolate that I had been eating, as I stared at the duo before me. My heart was thumping wildly.
Liam looked mesmerising in a grey suit, and Damon looked just as hot in black. Both oozed sexiness, and if I thought they were handsome before, Goddess, they were complete invites now! Both of their eyes were glowing and fixed on me with a possessive look that made my core knot and my wolf howl in happiness.
“Mate,” they both said in unison.
Mates. My mates… I have two mates… Goddess...
The boys’ gazes snapped to each other. I couldn’t speak as I gauged their reaction. Damon looked stunned, and Liam… Liam’s reaction pulled at my chest; accusatory, hurt, and disappointed. He stepped back, running a hand through his locks, which had been styled in a quiff moments earlier.
“I… how can she be both of our mates?” he asked in his husky voice.
“It happens,” Damon’s deeper voice answered.
My heart was pounding as I looked at Liam. No… he would not reject me, would he? He shook his head, stepping back.
“I can’t do this.”
His words cut me like a knife, and I felt the pain of his indirect rejection destroy me. He turned and walked off, not even giving me a chance to say anything.
“Liam!” Damon called after him. He looked at me for a second, his blue eyes softening before he ran after his friend.
No matter what I said or thought, the pain of Liam’s rejection stung worse than being doused in wolfsbane. I realised at that moment that I wouldn’t be happy with one… I needed them both… they were both a part of me…
“Raven?”
I snapped out of my thoughts as the wind blew through my deep purple and blue ombre hair as I stared at my aunt.
“Sorry, I spaced out.” I gave her a wry smile and turned to the kids. “Lessons out for today!”
“Yes, ma’am!” They hurried off, chattering amongst themselves, discussing the match or certain moves, and I smiled at the two men who were picking themselves up.
Both Aunty and I fell in step as we walked towards the packhouse. Despite being an outsider, I had been welcomed here with open arms. For the last three years, this had been my home.
“Are you going to tell your parents about the position?”
